If you think smoother, brighter skin that looks good even without makeup is just the stuff of air-brushed magazine covers, think again. 😉
At SPRY Skin & Wellness, our secret to fresher, more-youthful looking skin is a “tiny” treatment that delivers big results—microneedling. This skincare treatment has taken the cosmetic world by storm, and for good reason.
But what exactly is microneedling? And with so much information out there, how do you separate fact from fiction?
Today, we’re giving you the whole truth (and nothing but the truth) about microneedling in Waterloo, because we believe the first step to any skincare treatment is education.
Keep reading to find out 10 things nobody tells you about microneedling (but we will).
1. How Microneedling Actually Works
As a cosmetic procedure, microneedling uses extremely fine needles to create extremely small wounds in the skin. Depending on your concerns, we can adjust the depth of the microneedling device for a light refresh or a deeper rejuvenation.
The tiny punctures in the skin trigger the body’s inflammatory response, which kicks off new production of collagen and elastin. These 2 proteins give your skin its structure and elasticity.
As we age, the production of collagen and elastin declines, leading to looser, thinner, and less supported skin that develops wrinkles and other skin concerns more easily.
Following microneedling treatment, your skin produces more collagen and elastin, helping your skin regain its youthful firmness and flexibility.
2. Microneedling Is More Than Just an Anti-Aging Treatment
But microneedling does more than just stimulate collagen and elastin production. This treatment also:
- Promotes cell regeneration, helping old wounds heal faster than they would on their own.
- Increases blood flow, bringing needed nutrients and extra oxygen into the skin to support healing.
- Enhances the effectiveness of topical products like serums or creams.
Because microneedling stimulates your body’s natural healing process, it helps address a wide variety of skin concerns, including:
- Wrinkles
- Acne scars
- Hyperpigmentation
- Stretch marks
- Enlarged pores
- Skin laxity
3. Not All Microneedling Devices Have the Same Effectiveness
Before modern innovations, “dermal rollers” were used for microneedling treatment. Even today, you can purchase at-home dermal rollers. These handheld devices have a rotating drum of needles that you can roll across the treatment area.
However, dermal rollers have a much higher risk of irritation, infection, and even scarring, compared to microneedling. Because the needles enter at an angle, dermal rollers can create micro-tears in the skin rather than clean punctures.
They can also lead to infection if not properly sterilized, and dulled needles can even lead to scarring (the exact opposite of what we want!).
That’s where our advanced, automated microneedling device, SkinPen comes in.
The first FDA-cleared microneedling treatment for face and neck concerns, SkinPen is safe and effective when used by trained professionals.
This automated device has many benefits, including:
- The use of sterile, single-use needle cartridges that don’t put you at risk of infection.
- Extremely fine, medical-grade needles that only enter the skin vertically, reducing tissue damage.
- Not relying on manual, uneven pressure, so it can deliver more precise, consistent results.
4. You Can Give Your Skin an Extra Boost by Adding Radiofrequency Energy
But SkinPen is not the only microneedling device we offer here at SPRY Skin & Wellness. Our Exion RF device combines microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) energy for even more skin benefits than microneedling alone.
During RF Microneedling treatment, the device emits radiofrequency energy that enters the skin through the micro-punctures. The RF energy heats the tissue, stimulating collagen and elastin production in even deeper layers of the skin.
The addition of RF energy helps smooth deeper wrinkles and even tighten sagging skin.
5. You Have to Prepare Your Skin Before Treatment
Before microneedling in Waterloo, we meet with you for an in-depth skin assessment. During this consultation, we examine your skin concerns and hear about you, your skin care routine, and your cosmetic goals.
We also give you important pre-care instructions to follow before treatment. These instructions help keep your skin safe and improve the effectiveness of treatment.
If you’ve already completed the instructions, we can schedule your microneedling session for the same day.
Before your appointment, make sure to:
- Avoid sun exposure: Harmful UV rays can make your skin more sensitive and increase the risk of irritation during treatment.
- Don’t use strong exfoliants, acids, or retinols: Aggressive products can also increase your skin’s sensitivity and disrupt the natural healing process.
- Arrive at your appointment makeup free: A clean canvas is important to preventing infection from microneedling. We also provide a gentle cleanser before treatment if needed.
- Eat and hydrate: Have a light meal before treatment, and drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.
6. Microneedling Is Not Super Painful
We get it: Microneedling may sound intimidating. But the truth is, microneedling in Waterloo is not nearly as scary as it sounds.
Before treatment, we apply a topical anesthetic to numb the skin, helping to reduce any discomfort. Then, as your provider moves the microneedling device across the skin in a methodical pattern, most people experience only a mild prickling or tingling sensation. With RF microneedling, you might also experience warmth from the RF energy.
After treatment, you may notice redder, more sensitive skin over the next few days. Remember to stay patient during this time as your skin naturally heals itself.
7. Microneedling Is Not a One-and-Done Treatment
After one treatment session of microneedling in Waterloo, you may notice smoother skin. But for the best results, we recommend at least 3 treatment sessions, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
Because collagen production increases gradually, a single session only begins this process. Multiple sessions help build up sufficient amounts of collagen and elastin to create long-lasting improvement.
Stopping after just one session means the treatment can’t fully address concerns like deep scars and wrinkles.
We also recommend maintenance treatment sessions every 6 to 12 months to continue stimulating collagen production and prevent concerns like wrinkles from returning.
8. You Have to Take Care of Your Skin After Treatment
Following treatment sessions of microneedling in Waterloo, caring for your skin properly becomes more important than ever.
As your skin heals and collagen rebuilds, make sure to follow these post-care instructions:
- Use gentle skincare products only.
- Avoid makeup for 24 hours.
- Skip the gym for 24 to 72 hours.
- Stay out of the sun.
- Do not pick or scratch your skin.
- Apply recommended products.
9. Microneedling Is Not a Cure-All
If we could wave a magic wand (or a magic microneedling device) to erase all your skin concerns, we would. But the truth is, microneedling isn’t a miracle cure.
Sure, microneedling promotes healthier, smoother skin and reduces the appearance of acne scars, wrinkles, and fine lines.
But on its own, microneedling doesn’t have the power to reverse all skin concerns. That’s why we always suggest a great at-home skincare routine to help maximize your results from microneedling in Waterloo.
During your complimentary skin assessment for microneedling, we help you create a skin care routine that works for you and your needs. With in-house medical-grade skin care products we swear by, we can send you home with the exact moisturizers, cleansers, and serums you need.
Microneedling may not be a magic wand, but it is a powerful tool for anti-aging and accelerating healing. We often recommend it as one element of a comprehensive skin treatment plan.
10. Microneedling Is Not for Everyone
At SPRY Skin & Wellness, we never recommend a treatment we don’t think you’re a fit for.
During your complimentary consultation, we learn about your lifestyle, concerns, and goals before listing any treatments.. We’ve even been known to send clients away because we knew they needed an allergy test to uncover the root cause of their concerns before getting treatment with us.
And while microneedling in Waterloo can improve skin concerns for people of almost any age, there are some contraindications, including individuals who:
- Have bleeding issues
- Are on anticoagulants or blood thinners
- Are pregnant or nursing mothers
- Have skin infections or systemic infections like HIV or Hepatitis
- Are allergic to any of the equipment used
- Are immunocompromised
- Have skin cancer
- Are prone to keloid scarring
During your consultation, make sure to disclose any medications you are taking and your full medical history.
If microneedling doesn’t fit your skin, we may recommend another treatment or product to help create results.
Rejuvenate Your Skin With the Power of Microneedling
Our mission has always been to help men and women gain confidence to be the best versions of themselves. At SPRY Skin & Wellness, we’ve helped thousands of patients achieve this.
And that’s why you can always count on us for the truth about your skin care options.
Microneedling isn’t just another #SkinTok trend. It delivers real results that our clients love (and come back for again and again). To discover the skin rejuvenation power of microneedling yourself, book an appointment with us online.
Or try out our treatment planner to discover more treatment options, like a chemical peel near Cedar Falls.
